Method and apparatus for use in connection with the setting of bridge pier caissons



July 17, 1934. Q VERMONT r 1,966,974

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH THE SETTING OF BRIDGEPIER CAISSONS Filed July 1, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet l l jig i' m A TTORN EY5.

M' MW July 17, 1934. Q VERMONT 1,966,974

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH THE SETTING OF BRIDGEPIER c IssoNs Filed July 1, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR Z Z ww Sm IATTORNE S.

.Fuiy 17, 1934. Q VERMONT 1,966,974

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH THE SETTING OF BRIDGEPIER CAISSONS Filed July 1, 1933 3 Sheets$heet v5 INVEN TOR.

A TTORNE S.

Patented July 17, 1934 UNITED STATES METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR USE INCONNECTION, WITH THE SETTING OF BRIDGE PIER CAISSONS Cornelius Vermont,Ridgefield Park, N. J.

Application July 1, 1933, SerialNo. 678,561 8 Claims. (Cl. 6163) Myinvention relates to the setting of bridge pier caissons, and one of theobjects thereof is the provision of a method and apparatus whereby agreat deal of the labor and trouble incident i to the methodsnow'employed in the setting of bridge pier caissons are eliminated, myinvention providing a falsework structure adapted to be assembled onshore or in drydock and floated to the caisson site and used forsteadying and guiding and preventing lateral movement of the caisson asthe same is being set or sunk, this falsework comprising cylinders whichare employed in floating the falsework to the pier site, and thereafterto moor the falsework, the necessity of employing the anchors and thelike that are now employed in placing or setting caissons beingeliminatedJ Briefly my improved construction provides a fabricated steelframework erected in drydock or from barges, this framework being of theproper dimensions to bound or surround or enclose the caisson at thepier site. The framework is equipped with bulkheaded water-tightcylinders providing the necessary buoyancy to enable the falsework, i.e. the framework and cylinders to be floated to the pier site. When thefalsework is on exact location the'cylinder bulkheads are removed, thecylinders sunk to bottom one by one, dredged to a previously calculateddepth into firm material and then filled with sand or earth taken fromthe river or bay bottom to provide additional rigidity and stability.The caisson may then be floatedin'place over the site and the fourthside of the falsework brought into position, secured in place to therest of the falsework and moored by its cylinders. The caisson may thenbe sunk in the usual manner. In sinking or setting the caisson thefalsework acts as a guide as will be understood, serving to insuresetting of the caisson on exact location, and during the sinkingoperation guide blocks are interposed between the caisson'and thefalse-work and maintained approximately ten feet above the cutting edgeof the caisson, to steady the caisson and hold it' in correct positionas it is being sunk. These guide blocks move down with the caisson untilthe cutting edge of the caisson enters the bay or river bottom, theblocks thereafter continuing to function in restraining the caissonagainst lateral movement.

After the caisson has been sunk to thejdesired elevation the cylindersare out 01f adjacent the bottom, the cylinders raised, and newbulkheaded bottom sections added permitting the falsework to be floatedto another caisson site.

It will be" seen, therefore, that my invention provides for the erectionof the mooring apparatus forthe caisson on shore where the work may bedone expeditiously and at minimum expense and eliminates the necessityof employing the anchors, tackle, etc. commonly used in the placing ofcaissons. This alone is of material advantage as will be appreciated bythose skilled in this art, inasmuch as it permits of the placing of thecaisson with the desired degree of accuracy and with the minimum ofeffort and expense.

In the drawings accompanying this application and which show oneembodiment of the invention:

'Fig. 1 is a plan view of the falsework' employed in the practice of myinvention;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of Fig. 1 showing the sinking of one ofthe mooring cylinders;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 shows the falsework on location and the caisson in positiontherein;

Fig. 6 is a detail View of one form of roller block employed between thesides of the caisson and the falsework;

Fig. '7 is a section on the line 7'7 of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 'is a sectionalelevation of one of the mooring cylinders;

Fig. 9 is a section on the line 99 of Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is a view similarto Fig. 9 showing the permanent attachment of a cylinder to thefalsework; and

' Fig. 11 is a view of another form of roller block. Referring to thedrawings in detail, my im proved apparatus comprises a fabricated steelfalseworkcomposed of a framework comprising upper and lower trusses, theupper trusscomprising braced chords 1 and 2, the lower truss bracedchords 3, the two trusses being braced with X-bracing 4 and 5, althoughit will be understood that truss bracing may be employed if desired. Thetop trussof the framework as shown'in Fig. 1, for instance, is ofsubstantial width and can be used as a working platform when theapparatus is in use.

.The framework is four sided, the sides which are designated 6, 7, Sand9 being divided into sections tied together by heavy pins or bolts orother suitable device.

' Each of the sections 6, '7, 8 and 9 of the framework is equipped withsectional mooring cylinders 11, the lower section of each of thesecylinders being bulkheaded as shown at 12. Each cylinder section also isequipped exteriorly with vertically .extending reinforcing I -beams l3welded to the cylinders 90 apart and interiorly with a verticallyextending truss diaphragm 13. These truss diaphragms as will be seenfrom Fig. I extend across the cylinders from one I-beam to the other,and are connected thereto so that the whole structure is aninte'gralunit. The adjacent ends of the cylinder sections may conveniently beprovided with peripheral flanges 15 to permit of boltingthe sectionstogether, and

the truss diaphragms terminate flush with the ends of the cylindersections so'that these diaphragms may be bolted together also therebyproviding in effect a rigid unitary structure, giving a through trusseffect.

Each bay 16 of the framework which is to re-- ceive a cylinder iscomposed of the top chords 1 and 2 and cross members; 17 and 18.

The reinforcing I-beams 13 of each cylinder section ride or bear againstthe top chord 2 and the side members 17 and 18 of the bay of theframework which receives the cylinder.

The bottom truss of theframework' is provided with a bracelet structurefor receiving the cylinders as illustrated in Fig. 4, which is slightlydifferent from that in the upper truss of the framework in that theinner of the lower-chords 3 is divided at its-end into two partsdesignated 21 and 22, the adjacent ends of these two parts being spaceda substantial distance apart as plainly shown in Fig. 4. This is for thepurpose of accommodating two I-beams 23 and- 24; with which the sectionsof some of the cylinders on the side adjacent the inner face'of thefalsework are provided. These I-beams, one function of which is tostiffen the cylinders, are disposed in pairs slightly spaced from eachother circumferentially of the cylinder sections. This constructionprovides for avoiding catching of the guide blocks on the chord of thelower truss as the guide blocks are being lowered into position.

The two parts 21 and 22 of thechord3 are tied together with a removablestructural steelmember 27.

In the practice of my invention the falsework is erected in drydock,enough cylinder sections being set in place in the bays 16 and boltedtogether so that the cylinder sections will extend at least from theupper to the lower truss of the framework. The lower section of eachmooring cylinder is bulkheaded at its lower end as shown at 12 as abovepointed out.

The cylinders 11 may be made fast to the .framework'temporarily by theconstruction shown in Fig. 9, from which it will. be seen that woodenfiller wedges 2' are placed behind the web of the chord 2, and bolts Bpassed through the web of structure to be floated to the site.

In some cases a drydock' may not be available for assembling thefalsework, in which event scows can be used to form a floating platformapproximating the plan area of the caisson from which the falsework. canbe assembled.

When the falsework is on exact location' it may be made fast to barges30 which temporarily support the falsework during the progressivelowering' of the cylinders 11. Sinking of the cylinders isaccomplishedby admitting water therein, sections being added as thecylinderssink, until. the bay or river bottom is reached. This operationis shown in Fig. 2: for example. In sinking, the cylinders may besupported from the upper truss of the framework, by falls 31, the trussin turn being supported at that point by barges 30.

The bulkheads 12 which may be of comparatively light construction arenow removed or broken out and the cylinders dredged to any desiredelevation into the material of the bottom, say for example thirty feet,cylinder sections being addedas required. On the completion of theinstallation of the cylinders the top of each cylinderis flush, orapproximately so, with the top plane of the upper truss of theframework.

The cylinders are finally permanently attached to-the' falsework asillustrated in Fig. 10 by bolting. the I-beam 13 to the web of chord 2,metal wedges 32 being interposed between the Web of the'chord and theflange of the I-beam. Concrete is next preferably placed in thecylinders for a depth of several feet and then material taken from thebay or river bottom to give additional mass and strength to thecylinders.

Temporary strut 25 can now be removed and the caisson, designated 26,-floated into the three sided falsework enclosure, The end section 9 ofthe falsework is then towed into position, the cylinders 11 of thissection sunk as above described andthis section. secured to the adjacentsections of the falsework already in place. We now have the. caissonenclosed by the framework of the falseworkand braced by the cylinderswhich support it.

I next lower roller blocks 27 by wire rope falls 28 into positionbetween the I-beams 23 and 24 of the cylinders of the end sections ofthe falsework and the sides of the caisson. As will be seen from Fig. 6-each of these blocks is made upof structural steel, the outer face ofeach block riding against the I-beams 23 and 24 while the inner facewhich is provided with rollers 29 bears against the sides of the caisson26.

The side members 6 and 8 of the falsework are preferably equipped withpairs ofcylinders 11 instead of the single cylinders shown for the endmembers '7 and 9, althoughfor that matter these end members may besimilarly equipped if desired, the number of cylinders employeddepending to a large extent upon the current at the site and the size ofthe caissonto be handled.

When the cylinders 11 are used in pairs, as seen in. Fig. 11, thensingle I-beams 13 are employed instead of equipping each cylinder withpairs of I-beams such as show-nat23 and 24 in Fig. i. In this case alsoI employ a guide block 33 of structural steel bridging I-beams. 13 onadjacent cylinders, and equipped on its outer face with rollers 34.Theguide blocks are lowered into position in much the. same wayasdescribed in connection with the blocks'27.

The caisson 26 may now be sunk tothe desired elevation in the usualmanner, the immovable falsework allowing minimum lateral displacement ofthe caisson so that the latter will be sunk or set with precision.

After the caisson has been sunk to the desired elevation the. guideblocks 27 and 33 are removed, the cylinders emptied of fill, thelowermost cylinder sections cut off at the first joint, a new bulkheadedlower. section attached to provide the necessary buoyancy for floating,the falsework which may then be towed to another caisson site. 1

It is to be understood that by making the falsework in sections, I mayremove or add sections, as desired, to vary the size of the framework.to-accommodate caissons of different dimensions.

It is to be understood ofcour-se also that the number of. mooringcylinders and their location with respect to the falsework may be variedto suit the particular job being worked on.

It will be appreciated from all of the foregoing that my inventionprovides a relatively inexpensive method and apparatus useful inconnection with the sinking of caissons, well adapted for use in waterswhere there may be considerable current and where under existing methodsdifficulty would be experienced in holding the caisson against shiftingduring sinking or setting of the same to the desired elevation.

What I claim is:

1. In the sinking or setting of caissons the method which involveserecting a falsework, composed of a framework and mooring cylinders,remote from the site, floating the falsework to the site or locationemploying the cylinders as the supporting medium, lowering the cylindersvertically relatively to the framework to sink the cylinders, addingsections to the cylinders as the same move downwardly, after thecylinders are down in firm material permanently attaching the cylindersto the framework and then adding material to the cylinders taken fromthe site until the cylinders have acquired the desired mass to moor thefalsework frame, floating the caisson over the site into position to besurrounded or enclosed by the frame of the falsework, and finallysinking the caisson to the desired elevation, the falsework restrainingthe caisson against lateral displacement during the sinking operation.

2. A structure for use in connection with the sinking of caissons, saidstructure comprising a framework adapted to receive and surround thecaisson, bulkheaded cylinders attached to and providing sufficientbuoyancy to float the framework, said cylinders being movable verticallyof the framework and said bulkheads being removable to permit thecylinders to be sunk into the bay or river bottom to hold the frameworkand caisson against movement.

3. A structure for use in connection with the sinking of caissons, saidstructure comprising a framework adapted to surround the caisson andcomposed of upper and lower trusses, bracing connecting the trusses, andsectional cylinders mounted in said trusses and movable verticallythereof into the bay or river bottom to hold the framework and caissonagainst movement.

4. In combination a caisson, a structure comprising a falsework frameadapted to surround the caisson, cylinders carried by the falsework andmovable vertically thereof to permit of sinking the same in the bay orriver bottom to hold the frame and caisson against movement, and guideblocks intermediate the caisson and cylinders to take the lateral thrustof the caisson.

5. In combination a caisson, a sectional falsework frame adapted tosurround the caisson, and composed of upper and lower trusses with meansfor connecting the same to each other, sectional cylinders carried bysaid frame and movable vertically thereof to permit of sinking the samein the bay or river bottom to hold the frame and caisson againstmovement, guide blocks intermediate the caisson and cylinders to takethe lateral thrust of the caisson and truss partitions within saidcylinder sections secured to said cylinder sections and to each other.

6. A structure for use in connection with the sinking of caissons, saidstructure comprising in combination a falsework frame composed of upperand lower trusses and means for tying the trusses to each other,sectional cylinders passing vertically through said trusses and movabletherein to permit of the cylinders being sunk in the bay or riverbottom, means for attaching the cylinders to the frame whereby the frameis held against movement, reinforcing beams on the exterior of saidcylinders, and truss diaphragms within the cylinders, said beams anddiaphragms being so disposed as to take the lateral thrust of a caissonenclosed by said frame.

7. In combination a caisson, a framework composed of upper and lowertrusses adapted to surround the caisson, cylinders mounted in theframework and adapted to be moved vertically thereof into the bay orriver bottom to restrain the framework and caisson against movement,reinforcing beams along the exterior of the cylinders, roller blocksintermediate the cylinders and the caisson to take the lateral thrust ofthe caisson, said cylinders being arranged in pairs, and each blockbridging the beams of adjacent cylinders.

8. A structure for use in connection with the sinking of caissons,comprising in combination a framework adapted to enclose or surround thecaisson, cylinders mounted in the framework for supporting the same,said cylinders extending below the bottom of the framework so as to besunk into the bay or river bottom to restrain the framework againstshifting, said cylinders being made in sections secured to each other toprovide a unitary structure, reinforcing and stiffening beams extendinglengthwise of the cylinders and secured to the exterior thereof,sectional truss diaphragms within each cylinder, the several sections ofthe diaphragms being secured to each other and to the cylinder sectionsand each diaphragm extending transversely of the cylinder from one ofsaid beams to the beam at the opposite side of the cylinder, thereby toprovide a rigid unitary cylinder structure to take the lateral thrust ofa caisson enclosed or surrounded by the framework.

CORNELIUS VERMONT.

